By Asmau Ahmad with agency report
The Nigerian government has issued a fresh alert over a possible outbreak of a bacterial disease that “affects both animals and man”.
A statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), said the zoonotic disease that is known as anthrax, has now been confirmed within the West African sub-region; specifically, Northern Ghana bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.
The statement, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ernest Umakhihe, advised Nigerians against the consumption of hides (pomo), smoked meat and bushmeat, to avoid possible spread.
In a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the ministry’s Director of Information, Joel Oruche, confirmed the authenticity of the statement and urged Nigerians to heed the advice.
The statement emphasised that the consumption of hides poses a serious risk until the situation is brought under control.
